Changing sides: Defense to offense, UW to WSU
Seemingly there are dual elements to the football personality profile of Eastlake graduate Cory MacKay.
He has been both Husky and Cougar, receiver and linebacker, and now even his new Incredible Hulk-like physique could foreshadow potential change.
MacKay has, in the space of seven months, gone from his listing as a 6-foot-4, 216-pound wideout, who last fall caught 64 passes for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns, to someone who weighs a beefy 240 that could entice coaches at Washington State to make him a tight end.
As a member of the West quad that plays the East, MacKay will be on the field Thursday, 7 p.m. at Central Valley, in the annual High School All-State Football Summer Classic.
The West has 10 Pac-10 recruits, including MacKay, on its roster and a total of 14 playing at the Big Sky level or higher. The East has six Division I Football Bowl Subdivision players and half-a-dozen Eastern Washington University prospects on its team.
MacKay’s story intrigues because he originally committed to the University of Washington as a linebacker, then switched state institution football teams and sides of the ball.
“Bill Doba got fired before they offered me and I was waiting to see what happened,” said MacKay. “Then the UW offered – it was my only offer – so I committed to them, sooner than I wish I had.”
The Huskies wanted MacKay the outside linebacker, who led the King County League with 18 sacks. While the Cougars were in-between coaches, MacKay said he received an offer from athletic director Jim Sterk to play wide receiver. Then the University of Arizona entered the picture. He took official visits to both the UW and WSU, rescinded his commitment to the Huskies, preferring offense, and became a Cougar.
“(Coach Mike) Levenseller said he’s played a freshman every year so I’m going to come in and play and see what happens,” MacKay said. “I don’t think they’re expecting me to be this big, but I think I can go to the next level at tight end, too.”
He said he was timed two weeks ago at 4.68 seconds for 40 yards.
“I could see them either moving him to tight end or slimming him down to increase his speed,” said West head coach Tom Bainter. “He has good hands and he is a physical, tough kid who is going to be a good one.”
Eastlake twice lost close games late in the State 4A quarterfinals during his two years, including 21-20 in Spokane to Gonzaga Prep’s three-touchdown fourth quarter in 2006. This year they lost to Edmonds-Woodway 24-21, a team Lewis and Clark beat the next week in the semifinals.
He’s looking forward to Thursday’s game.
“It’s fun because you’re going against the best of the best,” said MacKay on a sultry 85-degree Tuesday morning. “It’s great competition and good to get ready for college and for getting used to the heat.”
Extra points
Tickets are $7 and the first 200 junior football players and past participants of the game get in free. …
MacKay will see a familiar face in 6-foot-3, 190-pound Eastlake QB Ryan Robertson who is headed to Central Washington University. “They have a formation set up for me and him,” said MacKay. “They’ll isolate me on one side and audible for what’s open.”… Two Edmonds-Woodway players, QB and fellow Coug Kyle McCartney and receiver Antoine Wafer, join MacKay on the West roster. … Bainter said the West offense will include elements of the spread and I formations. “We will throw a lot,” he said. “We have good strong-armed quarterbacks, speedy receivers and backs, too, who are really talented.”… Some players to watch are UCLA-bound lineman/tight end Justin Mann from Woodinville; Snohomish running back/linebacker Derek Jones (WSU); Kamiak running back/defensive back Justin Glenn, Skyline tight end Riley Gervais and Kentwood running back/linebacker Demitrius Bronson (UW); Bothell punter/quarterback John Hekker and Juanita linebacker/offensive lineman Joell Reyes (Oregon State). … Tomorrow features a look at the East squad.